Japan is holding out hope that the Trump administration will see the “economic and strategic value” of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and is prioritizing that over bilateral trade talks with Canada, Japan’s ambassador, Kenjiro Monji, told the international trade committee Thursday.

“We understand that some Canadians suggest that Japan and Canada should restart negotiations for the Japan-Canada bilateral economic partnership agreement — EPA. Of course we haven’t forgotten the Japan-Canada EPA, but Japan gives priority to close communication on the TPP with Canada,” Monji said, flanked by embassy staff.